The Decimation of Mae (The Blue Butterfly) (16 page)

“But Lola?”

He lifted his chin to look me in the eye and shook his
head. “Her current bid level is far below yours. I’m afraid her end is as near
as yours.”

“But that’s stupid. Why? I’m dead in a few weeks anyway.
She may as well win the game. I’m of no use.” My fingers grabbed at his shirt as
I fought for Lola’s life. “I’m dead anyway. Does my buyer know that?”

“He does.”

“And yet he chooses to still bid? How bloody stupid is
he?”

He seized the tops of my arms in both hands, his grip
firm and unyielding as he shook me slightly. “Mae, calm down.”

“What? How can you even…?”

His thunderous expression fixed on me as he hissed out
his next words. “Some people are twisted. They desire the possession of
something… unusual. How the hell do you think snuff films are made, Mae?”

My whole world crumbled around me. I was to be purchased
to create a snuff movie. “Oh my God.” I suddenly struggled to breathe. “Please,
Master. Oh God, no you can’t let them…”

His palm fired heat across my cheek, the sting from my
tears intensifying the pain. “Enough!”

The door opened once more and Master Robert stood glaring
at the pair of us. “Is there some sort of problem, Daniel? Does your subject
require further discipline?”

I couldn’t remove my eyes from Master Daniel as I begged
him to help me. He refused to acknowledge me as he kept his face on his father.
“No problem, Father. We were just discussing a few regulations about behaviour
tonight.”

My body had shifted into shock. I couldn’t move from
beside my Master. Sensing my incapacity, he curled his arm around my waist to
support me as he led me into the room behind his father.

I didn’t look around the room as we entered. I couldn’t
focus on anything past what Master had just divulged. Horrific scenes played
out in my head, movies already in the making inside my sick, twisted
imagination.

Pressure built within my body, turmoil and grief
overriding my system. I needed relief; I needed the serenity that only a blade
could provide.

I pondered on the idea of misbehaving, knowing that would
bring on Master Robert’s wrath before an opportunity arose to open my veins and
release some of the harrowing agony coursing through me.

I climbed up onto the podium without a second thought. I
allowed Master to direct me. The only thing I could concentrate on was the fill
and emptying of air into my lungs.

I heard him tut at my unladylike scale of the plastic
tower but I wasn’t even sure how to climb the damn thing with any elegance.

Lola shifted on her pedestal beside me. I turned to her
but she remained transfixed, her gaze on nothing even though her eyes locked on
something. “Lola, hi.”

She didn’t acknowledge me. I hissed when Master’s fingers
dug into my shin. “You will remain quiet throughout the dinner. You will speak
only when spoken to and you will submit to any order given by any of my guests
tonight. Is that understood?”

I slowly turned my eyes from Lola to him, scoffing in
disgust as I looked at him with hatred. “Why not just end me now?” I rolled my
eyes and huffed dramatically. “Oh sorry, I forgot. How silly of me, I’m worth a
little more alive than I am dead. You can’t film a slaughter if the main
character is already dead.”

He swallowed heavily as though my words hurt him. I
winced when he exhaled and leaned into me, his fingers straightening out my
dress that wasn’t even creased. I realised he was making it look to the others
as though he was preparing me for their liking. “I’m going to do something that
I have never done before, Mae.”

I frowned at him but looked down at my dress, lowering my
hands to smooth out the material with him whilst he covertly spoke to me.
“There is a reason I need you to behave.” He paused, making sure he had my full
attention. “It seems your purchaser likes your unruly behaviour. The reason for
your high bid is because he apparently likes a woman with a bit of bite and
fight. You are perfect material for the type of film he wants to make.”

I tried to swallow the gasp that was fighting its way up
my throat.

“Do you understand what I’m telling you, lamb?”

“Yes,” I whispered as quietly as I could. I pulled the
ribbon that doubled as a belt into a straight bow. “Yes, I understand Master.”

I jolted slightly when his fingers skimmed over mine, the
pad of his thumb tickling along the edge of my own. “Let’s start to drop those
fucking bids, little lamb. Always trust the shepherd who tries to protect you.
It’s not just his job, it’s his…”

“Daniel?” Master Robert barked from across the room, his
stern voice jerking us both from our own private moment.

I gave him a small nod of understanding before he turned
back to his father.

I finally looked at my surroundings. The room was as I
remembered but with a few more furnishings. Mine and Lola’s podiums were
positioned against the back wall on full display for the guests. The sofas had
been pushed against the other walls and a large rectangular dining table sat in
the centre of the large room. Place settings for six had been formally placed,
each row of cutlery telling me there were five courses to be served.

Numerous people hovered around the room, talking amongst
themselves. Master Daniel and Master Robert were deep in conversation with two
elderly gentlemen and the Demi-whore was flirting with a man whose back was to
me. I curled my lip at the way she expertly played him. The way she flicked her
hair, the way she frequently touched his arm and giggled and genuinely seemed
interested in him showed me just how much of an expert at seduction she was.
But hey, weren’t whores supposed to be good at their jobs?

“Gentlemen,” Master announced. “If you would care to take
a seat, dinner is ready to be served.”

I roved my eyes around the room as they all shifted into
position. Soft music played in the background providing a lighter atmosphere
than what they were actually here for.

“It’s about time!” one of the stout older men barked,
causing both Lola and I to jump in surprise. “I’m rather eager to get to dessert.”

My breath stilled when he looked over at me, a revolting
leer curling his fat pink lips. A shiver rocked through me as I regarded him
with disgust. His small grey eyes devoured me as his tongue ran along one of
the flabby slugs under his moustache, wetting it and triggering a wave of
nausea.

“Well, fuck,” I whispered to Lola. “If he’s mine I’m gonna
pop myself off before he even gets the chance.”

I caught the roll of Lola’s lips as she tried to hide her
amusement. Master tipped his head calling for my attention silently. I lifted
my eyes to him. He shook his head slightly as his eyes narrowed into a fierce
glare.

I narrowed my eyes back. “Can you lip read?” I mouthed
wondering how the hell he had heard me. He smirked at me when I blobbed my
tongue at him.

Demi caught the action and I cursed myself. She glared at
me, her eyes suspicious as she flicked her gaze between Master and me.

“Charles,” Master spoke when he leaned towards the obese
geriatric. “Your subject is Lola, on the left. Mae, whom you have your
attention on, is currently under the order of Tony.”

Master gestured a hand towards who I presumed to be Tony.
His short black hair was all I could see as he sat with his back to me in the
large high-backed chair.

“That she is.” Tony spoke without looking at me. “I’m
afraid you’ll need a more… substantial backer if you wish to challenge me for
her, Charles.”

Something crawled over me when I caught Tony’s accent. It
sounded familiar. I frowned and tipped my head to catch more of his dialogue
but he didn’t speak again. Master frowned at me, his own head slightly cocked
when he observed my peculiar reaction.

Lola and I were pretty much ignored for the rest of the
meal. I couldn’t stop the hatred curling in my gut as I witnessed an hour of
Demi touching Master. She played up to him the whole time, stroking him
constantly, laughing at everything he said, attempting to feed him food from
her own plate as if they were on a fucking date.

Stupid fucking nauseating bitch.

My reaction to her puzzled me as much as it angered me.
If I had ever felt jealousy before I would have given this feeling a name, but
as I hadn’t, I couldn’t recognise what it was.

After-meal drinks were delivered by a couple of staff and
the party shifted to the sofas. I tried to catch a glimpse of Tony; however he
chose to take a seat in a dark corner, but I felt his eyes on me the whole
time. I couldn’t shift the feeling that something was ‘off’ about him. Even during
their meal, although his back had been to me, his attention had very much been
on
me. It was a strange feeling, like he was sensing me instead of looking at me.

Conversation was heavy and heated between the guests,
alcohol making them louder and boisterous. Lola glanced at me when the other
older man whom I had heard addressed as David started to tell the whole room
very loudly how he liked to
take
his conquests. His sick and twisted
preference didn’t seem to shock the other individuals, only myself and Lola. He
spoke of numerous torturous devices that he liked to attach his
lovers
to; clamps, chains, furniture with specific torture mechanisms attached to it. One
so appalling, I nearly choked on the vomit that rushed up from my stomach.

My legs were becoming numb as the familiar throb started
in my head. Dizziness accompanied the usual dull headache and at one point
Lola’s hand shot out to steady me when I wobbled precariously on my plastic
plinth. “Are you okay?” she whispered.

“No, are you?”

She shook her head from side to side only marginally so as
to not alert the others’ attention. “Mae, Charles frightens me.”

The fear in her voice tightened my chest. Her pretty blue
eyes were dull and full of horror as she watched the guests become more and
more abandoned. My heart ached for her. She was to become a slave, and whereas
I had the comfort of death to steal me away from what was to come, Lola didn’t
and tears pricked my eyes for her.

“Honestly, Lola, I’d swap you honey, but my
date
needs it to be a little more rough.”

She squinted at me, shaking her head with confusion.
“Rough?”

“Mmm, seems he wants to fuck me to death… literally.”

He mouth dropped open as she stared at me. “What? My God,
no.”

I shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’m dying anyway but I’ll
admit, I was hoping to go out a little more… nicely.”

“Oh my God, Mae. We need to get out of here.”

Her wide eyes snapped around the room as if looking for
an escape route. I grabbed at her hand, attempting to calm her down. She was
going to get herself into deep trouble if she carried on. She was wired,
running on adrenaline as terror morphed into instinct and the need to run.

“Lola, calm down, love. I’m doing what I can but you need
to calm down. Master Robert is one sick crazy bastard and if he…”

“Is there a problem over there?” Demi cut in loudly.

Lola’s eyes widened even further in panic when she knew
what would come from our disobedience.

“Nope!” I answered, trying to bring the attention on
myself. Lola wasn’t coping too well and any more emotion in her blood stream
wouldn’t bode too well for her.

Demi narrowed her eyes on me, but her lips twisted into a
cruel smirk. “I would say it’s time to play gentlemen. Your subjects seem to be
getting a little bored.”

Charles stood up immediately, rubbing his hands together
in delight as he grinned at Lola. She whimpered beside me. I loathed the sound;
it stabbed at my insides.

I stared at Demi, debating whether to jump off the bloody
pedestal and knock the fucking bitch out. I had never hated anyone as much in
my life.

An idea formed in my head and I started to chuckle.
“Demi.” Her eyes widened as I spoke, shocked at my stupid bravery. “I’d love to
play. You’re right, I’m getting a little bored here. The only lady in the room,
aside from Lola, and all you gentlemen choose to ignore me.”

Master shot out of his chair. He was furious but I
laughed even harder. “Bring it the fuck on!”

Shock rendered him immobile for a moment as he gawped at
me. Hilarity took over as I watched him freeze. “Come on,” I urged as I jumped
down from the podium.

“Mae, what the hell are you doing?” Lola hissed.

I turned to look at her. “Getting the leery bastards away
from you. Buckle up, baby, shit’s about to hit the fan.” She stared at me with
as much shock as the rest of the room. “Fuck this,” I goaded. “I’ll start
without you then.”

I looked down at the front of my dress. The delicate lace
neckline taunted me so I grabbed it and tore at it, ripping it into shreds
until I stood before the room in half-bra and thongs, my feet still locked into
my crippling red heels.

Master shook his head as his face reddened. Master Robert
charged towards me but everything slammed to a halt when Tony stepped out from
the darkness.

“Touch her and I will reverse every single bid I have
made over the previous three years.”

I didn’t focus on the rest of the room when everything
whooshed towards me. My legs finally gave way and I sank to the floor when my
eyes landed on the man who had bought me. He shook his head in warning as he
walked towards me, his eyes telling me to keep quiet and pretend.

Holy fucking shit!

I stared at him. I couldn’t get anything to work. My
heart was pounding as tears stung my eyes. “What…?”

Tony ignored me and turned to Master. “I require time
alone with my subject.”

Master narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “I’m afraid…”

“I am not interested in no, Daniel. I’m paying over six
hundred thousand pounds for your stock, I think I am entitled to a God damned
taster before you damage the goods, so to speak.”

“I’m not sure Mae is experienced enough yet to submit to
any sexual connection with you.”

Tony laughed loudly. “And yet you still refuse my
request.”

“Daniel,” Master Robert warned sternly.

“Fine.” Master held up his hands in defeat. “If you would
care to follow me, Tony. I’ll provide you with a private room.”

I still remained in a heap on the floor looking up at Tony
in shock. “Get up!” he demanded. When I simply blinked at him he took a handful
of my hair and yanked me upright. “Don’t fucking defy me, girl. You won’t like
the consequences of your insolence.”

The pain from his grip snapped me out of the daze
controlling me. I winced when pain tore through the roots on my head. He
dragged me after him, his large strides after Master wide and firm as he
overpowered me. I tried to turn to Lola to make sure she was okay but Tony’s
hold restricted any movement.

We followed Master into a small room off the main
hallway. He flicked on the lights then turned to Tony. “I’m afraid I can only
grant you a few moments. I don’t need to remind you that she isn’t quite yet
your possession.”

Tony scoffed and quirked an eyebrow. “Well if you hurry
the fuck up with the auction then she actually will be. May
I remind you
that it is only your inability to train your stock proficiently that is
delaying the transaction?”

Anger contorted Master’s face before he took a step
towards Tony. “I can always withdraw the auction. You may be the highest
bidder, Tony, but Mae is still in my guardianship until completion.”

Tony straightened his back and mirrored Master’s stance,
taking a step towards his adversary. “I think your father may have something to
say about a cancellation, Daniel. After all, this isn’t your transaction to revoke
but his.” He tilted his head mockingly and smirked. “I would say your hands are
rather tied.”

Master’s wrath was choking in the small room,
testosterone stifling the oxygen until it became difficult to breathe. He had
no choice but to relent as he turned to me. “Mae.” I looked up at him from my
kneeling position on the floor beside Tony, his fingers still twisted tightly
in my hair. “You will behave impeccably. Do not fight or curse. Do you
understand?”

I didn’t miss the message in his words. “Yes, Master. I understand.”

He gave me a worried glance before he turned back to
Tony. “I trust you will be delivering Mae’s punishment for her belligerent
behaviour.”

Tony smiled slyly. “Yes, very much so. I’m quite looking
forward to it.”

Master’s face tightened as his teeth sank into his lower
lip. “Then I put my faith in your self-control and trust you not to go too far.
After all, you can’t film a slaughter if the main character is already dead.” I
snapped my eyes to his when he repeated my words from earlier. He didn’t
acknowledge me but fixed Tony with a stare before he left the room and closed
the door behind him.

I gasped when Tony hauled me upright and pushed me back
against the wall. Fear and panic mixed with uncertainty and hope concocting a
chaotic cocktail of emotion. I looked into his eyes but he sneered at me and
brought his face closer to mine until his breath rushed over my ear.

“Play along. We are being watched. I’m sorry to do this
but I have to make it look as realistic as possible Mae.”

I froze when his hand covered my breast and his fingers
dug into my flesh viciously. “I…”

“Sshhh. I gather you recognise me?”

“Yes.” I shivered when he dipped his finger into my bra
and ran the tip over my nipple. I noticed he moved slightly to the side giving
our voyeurs a show. “I wasn’t sure if you would, it’s been nine years. We don’t
have much time so I’m going to be as quick as I can.”

I closed my eyes and remained frozen when he slid his
hand down my body until he cupped my sex over my knickers. “Once again I
apologise for touching you. The deal is almost done.” He ran his tongue down
the length of my neck, perfecting his character. “But I’m afraid I can’t get
you out until the auction is completed, until money is exchanged. I am trying
like hell to hurry that procedure along for you but Daniel seems to be bringing
forward excuse after excuse.”

He turned me around so my back was to his front. I placed
my palms on the wall to steady myself as he pushed into me and pressed his
mouth once more to my ear. He started to grind against me as his fingers curled
around the front of my throat. “Your father was the best partner I had, Mae.
We’ve been watching this organisation for around five years and then suddenly
your face appeared on their veiled auction site. Well, you can imagine my
shock.”

I nodded as he took my hands and held them tight behind
my back in an awkward position, the strain on my shoulders painful. “Yes, but…”

“Listen to me.” I nodded, allowing him to continue. “The
trade is due to take place in five days. Can you hang on until then?”

“Tony,” I whispered urgently. “You need to forget me and
bid for Lola. Please. They’ll kill her when she loses the game. I’m dead anyway
but you need to get her out of here.”

“Don’t worry about Lola. She’ll be safe. We’ll get her
out as soon as the money is transferred and they accept payment.”

“But it will be too late by then. As soon as you win they
will kill her. Please, Tony.”

“Mae, I need you to trust me. Lola will be safe and these
men will be going away for a very long time.”

Something shifted in my belly, a sliver of worry as
Master’s fate upset me. Why the hell I cared was beyond me but the thought of
him going to prison left me feeling cold. “Tony, Daniel isn’t a bad person. His
father is…”

“What the hell, Mae? He’s done nothing but humiliate and
beat you. He’s been involved in this venture for many years, feeding his greed
with numerous auctions. You have no idea how sick and twisted he is. Don’t
defend him.” He sighed and turned me round to face him. He kissed my cheek,
little soft kisses until he worked his way back to my ear. “I believe you are
suffering from Stockholm syndrome but there will be little time to give you any
counselling.”

He moved his lips over mine, hovering over me. “I’ll make
sure your last days are as comfortable as they can be. I owe you that much. You
deserve that much.” His eyes held mine, sadness carried in his soft expression.
“I’m so sorry, Mae.”

“That’s okay. I’m ready to be with my parents and Connie.
They are more than ready to accept me back as well.”

He swallowed as he ran his thumb over my cheekbone. “You
are one strong woman. Your parents would be proud of you.”

I answered him with a small smile.

The door reopened and Tony shifted back from me. He
turned towards Master with a smug grin. “She tastes exquisite and will be
perfect for what we need. I’ll make the necessary arrangements for five days’
time. We don’t have much time to record before she dies so I’m relying on you
to complete this damn transaction without any more hitches.”

Master simply nodded, regarding Tony with slightly narrow
eyes. “Five days will be sufficient time to finish her course.”

“Good, because I won’t wait much longer. If she dies in
the meantime then I’ll have to transfer the bids over to the other girl, but
that would be a shame. Mae is simply perfect. Her looks and specifically her
scar will drive our clientele wild. She already has that victim appearance, and
vulnerability sells.”

I gawped at him, only just holding myself back from
hitting him when I realised he was playing a part. The way Master growled at
him caused both Tony and me to stare in shock. Tony stepped backwards when
Master stepped angrily towards him. “I suggest you leave before I annul this
fucking deal, with or without my father’s consent.”

“Master?’

He blinked and looked at me then seemed to realise what
he was doing and shook himself. “It is time for Mae to retire for the night.
I’ll show you out, Tony.” He turned to me. “I’ll see you in your room shortly,
Mae.”

I nodded. “Of course, Master.” I hurried from the room commanding
myself not to glance Tony’s way and ruin his cover.

Excitement bubbled in my belly. I just hoped that Tony
managed to get me out before it all went to hell. At least I was guaranteed to
die by cancer instead of killed off in some freak bloody movie. I was concerned
for Lola though. I had a bad feeling that as soon as the transaction took place
that they would end her life. Although Tony had promised me he would help her,
I wasn’t sure he would manage to save her in time.

I was ready for him when he entered my room. I secured my
gaze on a portion of the wall as I knelt in preparation. I sensed his fury as
he slowly walked towards me. His thighs blocked my line of sight and I forced
myself not to drool over the way his trousers sheathed the thick muscles, the
outline showing me how perfect his legs were.

“Who is he?”

My heart thundered wildly. I was sure he could smell the
perspiration that broke out in droplets over my forehead. “My buyer.”

I flinched when he dropped to his haunches in front of
me. He was silent and I kept my eyes on his chest. “Don’t lie to me, lamb.”

“I’m not, Master. You have been dealing with him, he’s
purchasing me.” I lifted my eyes to his. “So he can torture me to death.”

His jaw hardened as anger blazed in his eyes. I cried out
when his hand circled my throat and he lifted me up, forcing me onto the bed.
My back slapped the duvet, my body bouncing back up with the force of his
throw.

He was above me before I could blink, his huge body
taking mine prisoner underneath him. “Don’t fucking lie to me!”

“I’m not!” I shouted back, my throat straining under the
tightness of his hold.

“Is he a lover?”

“What the hell? No!”

“There’s something you’re not telling me, Mae. And
believe me, if I find out for myself what is going on then you’ll regret ever
fucking meeting me.”

I scoffed. “I already fucking regret ever meeting you!”

I braced for his hand to connect with my cheek but it
didn’t. The only sound was both of our heavy breaths as we stared each other
out and strived to control the hatred suffocating our emotions.

I froze when his hand slid up the middle of my breastbone
and circled my throat. “Tell me how you know him, lamb.” His tone was softer
this time, the tightness in his throat echoing an emotion that, if I didn’t
know him, would have sounded much like hurt.

“I don’t know him.”

“He was very intimate with you.”

I couldn’t grasp what he was insinuating. Why he seemed to
be more concerned if I’d had a relationship with him instead of anything else
he could have posed a concern for. “I don’t understand what you want from me.”

His hand slid higher up my neck until he cupped my chin,
his hold gentle as his long fingers framed my jawline. “Tell me, Mae.” His eyes
secured mine, the rich chocolate swirling expressively as he gazed at me. “How
many men have you had?”

My eyes widened. “What?”

His thumb stroked along my bottom lip, removing all the
moisture. He dropped his eyes to watch my tongue recoat my lips. “How many
lovers have you had?”

My mouth dried when he didn’t remove his gaze from it; he
seemed enthralled by my lips. “I…”

“You?” he encouraged when his eyes lifted back to mine.

“I’m not sure what concern it is of yours how many
lovers
I’ve had?”

“I’m not talking about boyfriends, Mae. I know there have
been none. I mean one night stands, lovers, pleasure seekers. Just tell me.”

I huffed and scowled at him. “Fine. I haven’t had any
lovers.”

He tilted his head questioningly. “Now we both know
that’s a lie. For one, there is me.”

I spat out a bitter laugh. “I wouldn’t call you a lover,
Master. Far from it.”

His gaze darkened but he remained above me, my body still
pinned under his and my face still captured in his hold. “And you see, that’s
where I’m having trouble. So you’ve only ever had sex with me, lovers or not.”

“Yes,” I snapped. “And we mustn’t forget your father
now.”

His eye twitched as a slight tic contorted the muscle in
his cheek. “Yes, and my father,” he growled out. “That is what troubles me.”

“I don’t follow.”

He cocked his head almost sinisterly, his eyes burning
with something I hadn’t witnessed before. “You’re very inexperienced, and yet
your purchaser touches you and you barely even flinch. I’d have expected you of
all people to put up a bit of a fight. You gave my father one and you certainly
gave me one. Yet Tony, a man who threatens to kill you and film it, a man who pays
thousands of pounds for the pleasure of fucking you to an extreme level should
have disgusted you more than ever.”

I stared at him. I was sure he could feel the thunder
that was cracking behind my breasts as my chest heaved beneath him. “Well,” I
spoke as calmly as possible. “I’ve realised that there’s no point in fighting
anymore. It doesn’t get me anywhere, only more pain.”

He smirked. “So if I was to take you right here, right
now, you wouldn’t so much as bat an eyelid?”

I wasn’t sure what was happening. Repulsion surged
through me but it was slowly pushed aside by another sensation that filled me
when Master pushed his erection into my lower stomach. “If I stripped you naked
and ran my touch all over your exquisite soft skin then you wouldn’t do a thing
to stop me?”